Drought — Mountains Southwestern Shasta County To Western Colusa County, California

2022-08-01 to 2022-08-31 · Mountains Southwestern Shasta County To Western Colusa County, California

Event narrative

For the month of August, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept the majority of Zone 63 in extreme drought (D3) with the far western border of the zone remaining in severe drought (D2). The zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year. Drought impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, increased fire danger, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy continues to be impacted.

Wider weather episode

Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought. For the month of August, the only changes made to drought severity levels were to the northern San Joaquin Valley and southern portion of the Motherlode. Much of the region remains in severe to extreme drought with the southern portions of the region as high as exceptional drought. Many local and regional, as well as state-wide restrictions continue. Agricultural surface water deliveries continue to be significantly reduced. The state-wide drought declaration by governor Gavin Newsom also continues. Mandatory water restrictions are in place on outdoor water use for all Californians with possible fines to violators. Agriculture and most of the state's energy development are water-intensive industries and have less water for those purposes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1044695. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.